Folding sectional top crossed leg table



1954 s. J. MARTINEZ FOLDZENG SECTIONAL TOP CROSSED LEG TABLE Filed Sept. 8, 1953 L'i'V EN TOR. 6mvrmaa J Mae rmsz Horn? III/III III/II FOLDING SECTIONAL TOP CROSSED LEG TABLE This invention relates to tables and more particularly to an improved portable table which may be folded into a compact structure for easy storing.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a portable folding table employing a novel locking means which combines the functions of reliably locking the table in its open position and strengthening the support of the table in such position.

Other objects are to provide a table of the above type that employs a minimum number of moving parts, is extremely simple to operate, and which can be manufactured at a minimum cost.

Briefly, the invention contemplates a table top hinged substantially at its center to form two table halves which may be folded upwardly into face-to-face engagement to lie substantially in a vertical plane. To the underside of each table half, there is pivoted the bridge portion of a substantially U-shaped member, the legs of the U serving as the supporting legs of the table. The arrangement is such that the legs of one U member cross over the legs of the other, the adjacent legs being pivoted at their cross over points, whereby folding of the table halves closes the legs together in a scissors fashion to lie in substantially the same vertical plane as the table halves. A rugged, substantially rectangularly shaped, frame member is rigidly secured at one end to the underside of one of the table halves. When the table halves are in level, unfolded positions, the free end of this frame lies under the other table half and serves to support the same. A locking element is slidably secured to the underside of this other table half and is adapted to engage the free end of the rectangular frame to hold the same in position. The complete table thus comprises only six major components: the two table halves; the two U'shaped supporting legs; the rectangular frame support; and the locking element. Each of these components is relatively rugged and easy to manufacture. In folded position, the table occupies a minimum of room and thus may be easily stored in ordinary closets.

A better understanding of the invention and its various objects and advantages will be had by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a general perspective view of the table in partially folded position to illustrate the locking means;

Fig. 2 illustrates the table in complete folded position;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underside of the table when in level unfolded position;

Fig. 4 is side view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking element.

Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the portable table is shown as comprising a table top hinged intermediate its ends at H to form two table halves and 11. A generally U-shaped member A having downwardly extending legs 12 and 13 is secured to the underside of table half 10, the ends of the legs being positioned substantially under the table half 11. Similarly, a second substantially U-shaped member B is secured to the underside of table half 11 and has its legs 14 and 15 extending downwardly to a position under the table half 10, the legs crossing over the legs 12 and 13 of the other member. The adjacent legs are pivotally fastened at the cross over points as at 16 and 17.

Cross pieces 18 and 19 may be provided between the sets of legs 14, 15, and 12, 13 respectively at their lower United States Patent O ends to lend rigidity to the structure. The ends of the table legs may also be provided with wheels 20, 21, 22, and 23, if desired.

As shown clearly in Fig. l, the bridge portion 24, of the U-shaped member B connecting the upper ends of the legs 14 and 15, is pivotally secured to the underside of table half 11 by means of overlying clamps 25 and 26. The member B may thus rotate within these clamps as the table is folded.

A locking mechanism, comprising a rectangular frame support 27, has one end rigidly fastened to the underside of table half 10 by means of overlying clamps 28 and 29 as shown clearly in Fig. 2. The frame is provided with bent U portions 30 and 31 adapted to pass over the bridge of the U member A connecting the legs 12 and 13 to pivotally support this member to the underside of the table. Further clamps 33 and 34 overlie the longitudinal sides of the frame 27 as shown, to insure that the bridging portion 32 of the member A is securely held against the bottom of the table.

The far end portions of the longitudinal sides of frame 27 are provided withbent U portions 35 and 36 for accommodating the bridging portion 24 of member B when the table is in unfolded position.

As clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the free end 37 of the frame 27 is adapted to be held against the bottom of the table half 11 by means of a locking element designated generally by the numeral 38. This element, as shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 5 is of general U shape and comprises a pair of rearwardly extending legs 39 and 40 having downwardly and inwardly directed toe portions 41 and 42 respectively. The bridge portion of the U is bent downwardly out of the plane of the legs as at 43 and 44 and then extends horizontally to provide ledges or shoulders 45 and 46. The extreme end then extends downwardly again to form a handle 47. The legs 39 and 40 of the element 38 are biased inwardly so that they must be urged apart to form a parallel relationship.

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that the underside of the table half 11 is provided with a pair of parallel grooves 48 and 49 adapted to receive the legs of the locking element 38 in sliding engagement. A cross plate P is transversely disposed of these grooves and serves to hold the legs therein, plate P being secured to the underside of the table as shown. The inwardly toed portions 41 and 42 extend downwardly outside the grooves and prevent the ends of the legs from digging into the grooves whereby a smooth sliding action obtains. To insert the legs they must be biased into parallelism and thus the locking element will tend to hug the grooves and stay in any one set position. The forwardly bent down portion forming the ledges 45 and 46 is adapted to support the end portion of the rectangular frame 27 when positioned thereunder whereby the latter is locked against the underside of table half 11 when the table is in its unfolded position. The handle 47 on the locking element 38 serves as a convenient means for sliding this element backwardly and forwardly in the grooves 48 and 49.

The operation of the folding table will be clear from the above description. When it is desired to use the table, the two table halves 10 and 11 are folded down to a level position from the folded position shown in Fig. 2. This action also serves to spread the legs 12, 13, 14 and 15 abou; the pivot points 16 and 17 as shown clearly in Fig.

The locking element 38 is pushed as far rearwardly as possible as shown in phantom lines in Figs. 3 and 4 so that the free end 37 of the rectangular frame may engage the underside of the table half 11 without hitting the locking element. When the table halves are in their level position, the handle 47 of the locking element is then pulled forwardly bringing the ledges or shoulders 45 and 46 under the end 37 of the rectangular frame thereby locking the same to the underside of the table.

To fold the table, the locking element is slid back by pushing on the handle 47 to free the end 37 of the frame, and the two table halves 10 and 11 folded upwardly in face-to-face engagement in a vertical plane. This action scissors the legs into substantially the same vertical plane. The rectangular frame swings downwardly away from table half 11 and is nestled between the legs as shown clearly in Fig. 2. Thus, the table is readily foldable byv a single motion into a compact unit which may be conveniently stored.

It is to be noted that therectangular frame 27 forming a part of the locking mechanism also performs two additional functions. First, it serves to hold the bridge portion connecting the legs 12 and 13 of U member A against the bottom of the table half 10; secondly, the longitudinal sides of the frame provide a very strong support for the underside of the table halves when the table is in unfolded position. The table is thus particularly rugged and can support heavy loads.

The simplicity of construction of the table and its general utility and reliability will be readily appreciated from the above description.

I claim:

1. A table having hinge means intermediate its ends to divide the table into two halves adapted to be folded upwardly together; a first substantially U-shaped member having the bridge of the U secured to the underside of one table half and the legs of the U extending downwardly to a position under the other table half; a second substantially U-shaped member having the bridge of the U secured to the underside of said other table half and the legs of the U extending downwardly to a position under said one table half, whereby the legs of the first U member cross over the legs of the second U member; pivot means pivoting adjacent legs together at their cross over points; a rectangular frame rigidly secured at one end to the underside of said other table half; and a lock means slidably secured to the underside of said one table half for engaging the free end of the rectangular frame til when the table halves are in their level, unfolded positions.

2. A table according to claim 1, in which the bridge of said second U-shaped member is secured to the other table half by said rectangular frame.

3. A table according to claim 1, in which said lock means comprises an integral elongated element bent into a general U shape to form a pair of rearwardly extending legs having end portions toed downwardly and then inwardly towards each other; the bridge portion of said U being bent downwardly out of the plane of said legs, and then horizontally in a plane parallel to the plane of the 4 legs to form a ledge upon which the free end of said rectangular frame is adapted to rest, said one table underside being provided with a pair of parallel grooves to receive said rearwardly extending legs; and a transverse plate passing over said slots for holding the legs therein. 4. In a table having a central hinged portion providing two table halves adapted to be folded upwardly together in face-to-face engagement, a locking means for securing said table halves in unfolded level position comprising: a substantially rectangular frame member having one longitudinal end secured to the underside of one of the table halves; and a locking element slidingly secured to the under side of the other table half, said locking element having a downwardly and thence horizontally extending portion providing a shoulder means adapted to engage the under side of the free end of said frame member to secure the same to the under side of said other table half. 5. A table according to claim 4, in which the under side of said other table half is provided with a pair of parallel longitudinal grooves, and said locking element includes a pair of rearwardly extending legs adapted to slide in said grooves; and a transverse plate overlying said grooves for holding the locking element therewithin.

6. In a locking means for a portable table adapted to be folded to form two table halves, the combination comprising: a substantially rectangular frame having one end secured to the under side of one of said table halves; and, a locking element secured to the under side of the other table half having a portion adapted to be moved under the free end of said frame when said table halves are in unfolded level position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 175,878 Rowe Apr. 11, 1876 674,062 Jones May 14, 1901 1,210,983 Porrazzo Jan. 2, 1917 1,808,305 Howe June 2, 1931 1,827,373 Rosen Oct. 13, 1931 1,890,710 Williams Dec. 13, 1932 2,587,010 Thompson Feb. 26, 1952 

